U.S. patent application number 10/268672 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-15 for heat regulating device for integrated optical devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bookham Technology plc. Invention is credited to Anton, Marianne.
Application Number | 20030089957 10/268672 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9925747 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030089957 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anton, Marianne |
May 15, 2003 |
Heat regulating device for integrated optical devices
Abstract
An integrated optical package comprises an integrated optical
device supported on a carrier with a gelatinous material
therebetween to assist in heat conduction. The carrier can include
a thermal regulating device such as a heat sink or heater for
regulating the temperature of the integrated optical device via the
gelatinous material. The gelatinous material can include a metallic
second phase suspended in the gelatinous material, to improve its
thermal conductivity. The maximum dimension of the particles is
ideally smaller than the gap between the integrated optical device
and the carrier in which the gelatinous material is located, such
as in the 5 to 95 percent range of the dimension of the gap. The
particles of the metallic second phase can be elongate, in which
case they can be aligned with each other such as in a direction
extending from the integrated optical device towards the carrier.
Alternatively, they can be substantially spherical. Ferromagnetic
particles are easier to align by using a magnetic field. A method
is also disclosed, comprising the steps of disposing a closed loop
of adhesive, thus forming a well, on one or the other of the
integrated optical device or the carrier, placing a gelatinous
material into said well, placing the other of the carrier or
integrated optical device in contact with the adhesive layer and
gelatinous material, and curing the adhesive to secure the
integrated optical device to the carrier. The gelatinous material
can be thixotropic.
Inventors: |
Anton, Marianne; (Oxford,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLESHNER & KIM, LLP
P.O. BOX 221200
CHANTILLY
VA
20153
US
|
Assignee: |
Bookham Technology plc
|
Family ID: |
9925747 |
Appl. No.: |
10/268672 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
257/433 ;
257/E23.087; 257/E23.107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 2924/0002 20130101;
H01L 2924/00 20130101; H01L 23/42 20130101; H01L 23/3737 20130101;
H01L 2924/0002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
257/433 |
International
Class: |
H01L 031/0203 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 14, 2001 |
GB |
0127305.1 |
Claims
1. An integrated optical package comprising an integrated optical
device supported on a carrier with a gelatinous material
therebetween.
2. An integrated optical package according to claim 1 in which the
carrier includes a thermal regulating device for regulating the
temperature of the integrated optical device via the gelatinous
material.
3. An integrated optical package according to claim 2 in which the
thermal regulating device is a heat sink.
4. An integrated optical package according to a claim 2 in which
the thermal regulating device is a heater.
5. An integrated optical package according to claim 1 in which the
integrated optical device is a silicon-based device.
6. An integrated optical package according to claim 1 in which the
integrated optical device is a silicon-on-insulator, SOI
device.
7. An integrated optical package according to claim 1 in which the
integrated optical device comprises a plurality of waveguides for
optical modes.
8. An integrated optical device according to claim 1 in which the
waveguides are rib waveguides.
9. An integrated optical package according to claim 1 in which the
gelatinous material includes a metallic second phase.
10. An integrated optical package according to claim 9 in which the
metallic second phase is suspended in the gelatinous material.
11. An integrated optical package according to claim 9 in which the
metallic second phase consists of particles of a maximum dimension
which is smaller than a gap between the integrated optical device
and the carrier in which the gelatinous material is located.
12. An integrated optical package according to claim 11 in which
the metallic second phase consists of particles of a maximum
dimension which is in the 5 to 95 percent range of the dimension of
the gap.
13. An integrated optical package according to claim 9 in which the
particles of the metallic second phase comprises elongate
particles.
14. An integrated optical package according to claim 13 in which
the elongate particles are aligned with each other.
15. An integrated optical package according to claim 14 in which
the elongate particles are aligned in a direction extending from
the integrated optical device towards the carrier.
16. An integrated optical package according to claim 9 in which the
metallic second phase comprises substantially spherical
particles.
17. An integrated optical package according to claim 11 in which
the particles are ferromagnetic.
18. An integrated optical package according to claim 1 including an
adhesive layer disposed around the perimeter of the gelatinous
material to affix the integrated optical device to the carrier.
19. A method of fabricating an integrated optical package,
comprising the steps of: disposing a closed loop of adhesive, thus
forming a well, on one or the other of the integrated optical
device or the carrier; placing a gelatinous material into said
well; placing the other of the carrier or integrated optical device
in contact with the adhesive layer and gelatinous material; curing
the adhesive to secure the integrated optical device to the
carrier.
20. A method of fabricating an integrated optical package,
according to claim 20 in which the gelatinous material is a
thixotropic gelatinous material.
21. A method of fabricating an integrated optical package,
according to claim 19 in which the gelatinous material comprises a
metallic second phase.
22. A method of fabricating an integrated optical package,
according to claim 21, in which a magnetic or electric field is
applied to align the metallic second phase where the metallic
second phase comprises elongate particles.
23. A method of fabricating an integrated optical package,
according to claim 21 in which the elongate particles are aligned
in a direction extending from the integrated optical device towards
the carrier.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the regulation of
temperature in an optical integrated device. It particularly, but
not exclusively, addresses the problem of maintaining a uniform
temperature over the plane of the optical integrated device with
substantially no temperature variations thereon.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Many integrated optical devices demand a high degree of
stability in their operating temperature, due to the free space
interconnections of optical data, e.g. in an arrayed waveguide.
Variations or "hot spots" in temperature over the plane of the
integrated optical device, even by a small fraction of a degree can
result in poor performance and unacceptable optical losses. This is
due to the fact that the refractive index of integrated optical
components changes with temperature and this affects the paths of
the light as it traverses the chip.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides an improved method and
integrated optical package which maintains the temperature of the
chip in a stable manner.
[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided an integrated optical package, comprising an integrated
optical device supported on a carrier, with a gelatinous material
therebetween.
[0005] The integrated optical package can include a thermal
regulating device mounted on the carrier, for regulating the
temperature of the integrated optical device via the gelatinous
material.
[0006] Further preferred and optional features of the invention
will be apparent from the following description and from the
subsidiary claims of the patent specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The invention will now be further described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the integrated optical
package according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an end-on view of the integrated optical package
of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top view of the integrated optical package of
FIG. 1; and
[0011] FIG. 4 is an end-on view of the integrated optical package
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
[0012] FIG. 1 shows an integrated optical device 1, preferably a
silicon-on-insulator device, supported on a ceramic substrate 2
with a layer of gelatinous material 3 therebetween. The gelatinous
material is preferably a thixotropic material, so that its
viscosity increases as the shear rate decreases, that is that the
material thickens and firms to a gelatinous form as its handling
decreases.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows an array of heating elements 4, e.g. a layer of
deposited resistive material, disposed on the underside of the
supporting, ceramic substrate 2 so as to provide heat to the
integrated optical device supported thereon. FIG. 2 also shows side
walls 5 of an adhesive material, e.g. a UV curable adhesive. These
are used to adhere the integrated optical device 1 to the ceramic
support 2. The UV curable adhesive side walls 5 also serve to
provide a containment surround for the gelatinous material 2
contained therein.
[0014] If it is desired to dissipate heat away from the integrated
optical device, the array of hearing elements, can be replaced by
an array of thermo-electric devices, which act to cool the
integrated optical device. It is irrelevant whether the device is
heated or cooled; the invention seeks to provide a better transfer
of heat, regardless of direction.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows the integrated optical device 1 (in dotted
lines for clarity) in place supported on the ceramic substrate 2.
The UV curable adhesive 5 is placed on the ceramic substrate 2 such
that it forms a closed well around an area where the gelatinous
material 3 is to be placed. The thixotropic gelatinous material 3
is then placed within the well created by the adhesive 5 and is
thus contained therein. The integrated optical device 1 is then
placed on the supporting ceramic substrate 2 and is held in place
by curing the adhesive 5. The gelatinous material 3 is thus
contained in a layer both in contact with the ceramic substrate 2
and the integrated optical device 1. The now viscous gelatinous
material 3 serves to convey heat from the heating elements 4 by
conduction to the integrated optical device such that there are no
local "hot spots" or temperature variations in the integrated
optical device thereon. The gelatinous material 3 thus acts as a
heat spreader.
[0016] It will be appreciated that the adhesive 5 may be placed on
the integrated optical device 1 rather than the ceramic substrate
2, the gelatinous material placed within the closed loop of
adhesive 5 and the ceramic substrate then placed on the integrated
optical device.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows an alternative method whereby the integrated
optical package can be made. The adhesive layer 5, e.g. a UV
curable adhesive, is again placed so as to form a closed well
around the perimeter of the placement of the integrated optical
device 1. The well thus formed is filled with a gelatinous material
containing a metallic second phase 11. The metallic second phase
may be composed of a number of suitable metals, including silver,
copper, iron, nickel or cobalt. The gelatinous material is again
preferably thixotropic. Several such gelatinous materials are
available, such as Sylgel 1612 (Wacker Chemical) and RBC-6100 (RBC
Epoxy).
[0018] The metallic second phase may comprise metal filings or
chips of a suitable size such that their maximum dimension is
smaller than the gap, of dimension d, between the ceramic substrate
and the integrated optical device 1 placed thereon. The gap d may
be in the range 5 to 500 microns, but is typically in the range 50
to 200 microns. In general, smaller particles are less likely to
move less within the gel.
[0019] The metallic particles are preferably ferromagnetic such as
to be aligned by applying a magnetic field 10 within the vicinity
of the integrated optical package such that the metallic particles
11 are brought into contact with the undermost surface of the
integrated optical device 1 and are thus suspended within the
gelatinous material 3. Suitable ferromagnetic materials are iron,
nickel, cobalt, Au.sub.2MnAl, Cu.sub.2MnAl, Cu.sub.2MnIn and the
like. Other non-ferromagnetic materials such as silver and copper
can, however, be used. The particles can be coated to improve their
corrosion properties, such as with silver, tin or gold.
[0020] The metallic particles 11 have the effect of increasing the
effective surface area of the undermost side of the integrated
optical device 1, so increasing the thermal contact between the
integrated optical device 1 and the gelatinous material 3, thus
assisting in maintaining a uniform temperature over the surface of
the integrated optical device.
[0021] Other methods of aligning the metallic particles 11 may also
be used, such as the application of an electric field. The metallic
particles 11 may also be formed in shapes other than elongate. For
example, small spheres may be used, the diameters of which are less
than the gap d between the ceramic substrate 2 and the integrated
optical device 1. In practice, the difference in dimension between
the metallic particles 11 and the gap d should be such that no
undue stresses are placed on the integrated optical device 1.
* * * * *